TRENTON — In his latest attempt to access the inner workings of an agency partly controlled by Gov. Chris Christie, Assemblyman John Wisniewski has asked the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for records related to last year’s toll hike and the trans-Hudson tunnel nixed by the Republican governor.

Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) heads the state Democratic Party and chairs the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. Last month the committee voted to grant him the power to direct the Office of Legislative Services to issue subpoenas to force officials to testify and produce documents.

"We wanted to try to do this cooperatively. Everyone knows we have subpoena power, that’s not a secret," he said. "We want to try one last time and then we’ll use whatever powers we have at our disposal."

Before taking that step, he sent a letter dated May 29, to Executive Director Patrick Foye, asking within the next 30 days for a slew of documents related to the toll increases, the tunnel, hiring practices, overtime and property leases.

He requested a year and a half worth of correspondence and emails sent to or from Christie, Foye, Port Authority Deputy Director Bill Baroni, former executive director Christopher Ward and Chairman David Samson concerning the toll increase. Wisniewski specifically cites records related "to the amount of revenue projected to be generated from the toll increase and the projects to be funded with that revenue."

The Assemblyman called it "disingenuous" to suggest that the Port Authority, whose board members are appointed by Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, could have unveiled last year’s toll hikes without consulting the governors.

"If you’re a New Jersey resident commuting into Manhattan ever day by car you pay more in tolls to the Port Authority than you pay in income taxes to the state of New Jersey," he said.

Christie’s office and GOP lawmakers have said the committee’s actions are motivated by partisan politics. Wisniewski said the committee is trying to exercise its oversight duties.

The Port Authority gave no indication how it will respond to Wisniewski.

"We have received the request and are reviewing it," said spokesman Ron Marsico, declining to elaborate.